Warsaw, [Date] - Polish truckers and farmers have launched a round-the-clock blockade at one of the busiest border crossings with Ukraine, extending their protest that has caused significant disruptions. Over a thousand lorries are currently stranded in long queues spanning miles.

The truckers, who have now blocked the Medyka crossing along with three other border crossings, have expressed their grievances against Ukrainian companies that offer cheaper transportation services within the European Union (EU). They claim to be losing out on business and demand the reintroduction of a permit system for Ukrainian truckers entering the bloc, as well as EU truckers entering Ukraine, with exceptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies.

Tomasz Borkowski, leader of the Committee to Protect Transporters and Transport Employers, a Polish union, expressed a desire to end the protest swiftly, acknowledging the burden it has placed on the demonstrators themselves and those around them.

The protesters are also calling for empty trucks from the EU to be excluded from the electronic queuing system in Ukraine. Additionally, they want measures in place to prevent Belarusian and Russian hauliers from setting up companies in Poland to bypass sanctions.

The current waiting time for trucks to cross at the Medyka border crossing, which is one of eight road crossings with Ukraine, has reached a staggering 91 hours according to data from the Polish border guard.

The protest has caused significant damage to Ukraine's fragile war-time economy, hampering exports and disrupting the supply of essential items, such as motor vehicle gas (LPG). Kyiv has accused the demonstrators of blocking humanitarian aid, an allegation they deny.

In response to the situation, Poland's Infrastructure Minister Andrzej Adamczyk has written to Ukraine requesting exemptions from the electronic queuing system for EU drivers with empty trucks at least in two crossings, while also urging the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean, to establish a joint committee to analyze the repercussions of removing the permit requirement in the EU's transport market.

However, truckers express frustration over the lack of attention from both the outgoing Polish government and the prospective coalition of pro-European Union parties set to assume power following last month's national election.

Jacek Sokol of the Committee to Protect Transporters and Transport Employers stated that no constructive talks have taken place, and no one seems interested in addressing their concerns within the government.

While efforts to form a new government in Poland take center stage, the far-right Confederation party has emerged as the most vocal supporter of the protesters, arguing that Poland has gone too far in providing assistance to Ukraine. On the other hand, the mainstream opposition, such as the liberal Civic Coalition grouping, has placed responsibility on Mateusz Morawiecki's outgoing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government.

The blockade at Medyka has also witnessed the participation of farmers who are demanding continued government support to cope with low grain prices. Protesters claim that only two trucks per hour are being allowed through, with exemptions for humanitarian aid and supplies for war efforts.

With Ukraine's Black Sea ports largely blocked by Russia, businesses in Ukraine heavily rely on roads and railways to reroute exports and imports, further exacerbating the impact of the ongoing protest.

As tensions continue to escalate, it remains uncertain when a resolution will be reached, and the economic consequences for both Poland and Ukraine are expected to intensify if the blockade persists.